Twenty-five years ago, George H.W. Bush took the oath of office—becoming the 41st president of the United States of America. Shortly after a few opening comments, he offered a prayer—a portion of it I will never forget. “…write on our hearts these words: ‘Use power to help people.’ For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people.”
“Use power to help people.” Each of us—whether a local church pastor, university professor, church administrator, or even an editor—would do well to always remember the sentiments expressed during that January 1989 speech. Jesus stated the same in a different manner. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25-28, NIV).
Power in the hands of a minister can be a dangerous thing. That same power in his or her heart can become a seductive spiritual aphrodisiac. Flush with fresh authority, one can be tempted to pave a better professional path for self or friends.
My vow today and forever is to employ the gift of power—spiritual and administrative authority—to benefit all people equally. Doing so may cost me time, energy, and personal gain. It also requires painful personal sacrifice. But in doing so, I am but walking in the long-term, eternal, kingdom-building footsteps of the Master.